France announces team to play Australia in first test

France coach Philippe Saint-André has named Freddie Michalak at fly-half for their first test against Australia this weekend, despite the mercurial half-back not being able to make his club squad towards the end of the season.

There is no recognised fly-half replacement on the bench, either, with Morgan Parra likely to be forced into action in the outside half role if needs be. It is a huge ask of Michalak, who is not exactly renowned for his consistency.

Elsewhere, the squad shows eight changes to the side that lost the final game of the Six Nations to Ireland in Paris. Bordeaux winger Felix le Bourhis wins his first cap, while Gael Fickou partners Wesley Fofana in a dangerous centre partnership. Castres powerhouse Remi Lamerat provides cover from the bench.

Up front, Thierry Dusautoir misses out despite being named tour captain, so Nicolas Mas captains the team from the front row, where he is joined by Thomas Domingo and Guilhem Guirado.

None of those involved in the French Top 14 final last weekend were eligible for selection.

7 thoughts on “France announces team to play Australia in first test”

In other news, why does SPA hold this grudge against Trinh-Duc? He is one of the form fly-halfs and has that “flair” the french team needs, yet he goes for Michalak who has been nothing short of a failure when played at fly-half.

Is the Stade Francais fly-half injured? At least have him warning the bench in case Michalak implodes again.

And Dusautoir missing out?

I’m no big fan of France, but PSA seems to have lost the plot even more than their previous coach.

Re both comments above – Trinh-Duc’s continued absence is one of the biggest mysteries in the game right now.

Neither he nor Plisson was named in the initial touring squad (http://www.therugbyblog.com/france-squad-named-for-june-tour-to-australia) meaning the only options at 10 are Tales and Michalak. Tales can’t be involved due to Top 14 final – but what if Michalak had been picked for Toulon in that game too? Would he have swallowed his stubbornness and flown Plisson/Trinh-Duc out, or would he have started Parra at 10? Logic says the first option, which almost certainly means he would have done the second.